Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Family Nature Journal


I have a little nature journal I keep tucked away, jotting down the things we see and little notes about our adventures and stuffing in feathers, dried flowers or other interesting things we find. There are a few sketches and lots of little reminders of where to find the wild strawberries in June, the raspberries in July and the blackberries in August. It always warms my heart to look back through it and see the nature adventures we have shared.

A few times last year I tried to introduce Reece to nature journaling without success. There would be some interest at first, but it didn't stick. I talked to a few people about when their children started nature journaling and it seems I may have been trying a little too early with Reece, compared to others. So I let it go in hopes that maybe his interest in it will pick up in another year or two.


But then I saw this in December, and I was inspired to create our very own family nature journal. I took some time one cold December afternoon and got to work. I was so pleased with how it turned out and even more pleased when Reece took a look through it and expressed his excitement. He has already asked me to write down our backyard birds in the bird section, including the wonderful gold finch which has recently returned to the backyard.


Each month has two blank pages for us to record whatever it is we find in nature, as well as little notes about where we have been and the things we liked about our adventure. The back section is for nature sightings. There is a section for birds, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, animals and tracks, minerals, rocks and shells, water creatures, moss, lichen and fungi, insects and bugs, around the garden and other sightings. Storing it all away in a three ring binder means we can add in sketches, things we find, and whatever else we think fits.


I have to admit this journal has me pretty excited as well and I am really looking forward to sharing this experience with Reece. I have a feeling it is going to be a really good year for nature adventures and we will have the perfect place to record it all.

31 comments:

  1. What a great idea and it turned out beautifully. I hope you don't mind if I borrow the idea for our family. I am always looking for a way for us to engage and record the outside world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kathleen. I don't mind at all, go right ahead. I am actually thinking of maybe offering it as a free download it I can figure out how to do that :)

      Delete
  2. What a great idea!! I have been blogging about our adventures but not everything we see or do gets published. I have often thought about cataloguing our walks and observations on paper but the idea of organizing it all and making organized printouts holds me back. I really should just do it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am looking forward to giving this a go, and really hoping it works out well.

      Delete
  3. I can see why your are excited! I love the paper and the illustrations you chose for your journaling. I have a notebook dedicated to what I see out in nature and pen in my thoughts. There is so much beauty out there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen. I agree, so much beauty out there.

      Delete
  4. This is so very cool, Kim! Love the concept and how accessible it makes nature journaling!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh wow! This is beautiful! I tried nature journaling with my daycare kids without much success. This is beautiful. I might have to file this one away.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the idea,and keeping it in a 3 ring binder. When I think of nature journals I always think of something to take with us, not something to record in and keep at home. Have fun filling it this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank Margot. I am thinking this one might come with us too. It will easily fit in my pack and then we can record on the trail as well :)

      Delete
  7. Kim, I love the whole idea of nature journaling and have a little notebook I carry in my backpack, but your journal has me thinking I need something prettier, yours is just beautiful!
    Thanks for inspiring me.
    And thank you for the visit invitation. After dealing with insurance companies all morning I am ready to move to Canada!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Kim, this is beautiful!! I will keep this idea for next year - I don't think it would work quite yet. Wishing you lots of lovely adventures and memories with your family nature journal!!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful thing, mama.
    I like the way you do life.
    xoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awe, thank you! I kinda like the way you do life too :)
      xo

      Delete
  10. What fun! I can't wait to see some of your completed pages. What a wonderful way to collect memories!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, so far it is working out really well.

      Delete
  11. Oh Kim, this is just gorgeous! You sure are one talented lady, my friend! I'm thinking we need to put one of these together soon! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. what a wonderful idea. i wish you could homeschool me too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Come on over Taryn. I am thinking we would have a lot of fun :)

      Delete
  13. Man, l just love this idea...... and the illustrations you've chosen are gorgeous.
    Last year l tried to keep a monthly sighting list of the different birds and animals that visited our backyard. I got it done for a few months of the year, but it was one of those things that fell by the way side.
    I really love the idea of nature journaling, must look into it some more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Chrisy. I am pretty sure my little man will keep me on my toes :)

      Delete
  14. what a wonderful idea! I can't wait to do something like this with Ellie. We already spend some time watching birds on the feeder outside.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Summer! Bird watching is one of our favourite ways to pass the time :)

      Delete
  15. Oh, I LOVE this! I just know I'm not organized to keep it updated though. =( I do love this idea so much though.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm visiting from Mud Puddles to Meteors...this is a lovely idea (and so simple, in many ways). Perfect!

    ReplyDelete